Fireworks and festivities: 4th of July celebrations across Tampa Bay (2024)

By Spectrum News Staff Tampa

PUBLISHED 2:18 PM ET Jun. 27, 2024 PUBLISHED 2:18 PM EDT Jun. 27, 2024

TAMPA, Fla. — Pyrotechnics are planned to dance across the night sky as the 4th of July approaches on Thursday. July 4, or Independence Day, commemorates the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America. It has been a federal holiday since 1941, but celebrations have gone back to the 18th century.

Tampa Bay has a list of festivities to get residents and visitors into the patriotic spirit. View the events that are happening in your community.

All events take place on July 4 unless otherwise stated.

Citrus County

• Patriotic Evening
  July 3, 3 p.m. | Liberty Park
  The city of Inverness will be hosting its annual fireworks show over Lake Henderson. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs during the viewing. There will be live music, vendors and plenty of family-friendly activities.
• 4^th of July Celebration
  5 p.m. | Kings Bay Park
  Join the city of Crystal River for a 4th of July celebration. Enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, games, kids' activities and a fireworks show over Kings Bay.

Hernando County

• 4^th of July Heroes Boat Parade
  11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Hernando Beach Yacht Club
  The 3rd annual Heroes Boat Parade is a community celebration that honors veterans and raises funds for the Florida Veterans Foundation. There will be a silent auction as well as live music.
• Hernando County Fairgrounds Stars and Cars Demo Derby and Fireworks
  4 p.m. | Hernando County Fairgrounds
  Get ready for a day of family fun activities, including a demolition derby and a firework show. There is no admission fee to enjoy the activities and see the fireworks, but a separate ticket must be purchased to see the derby.
• American Legion Post 155 Escape the Fireworks
  6 p.m. – 12 p.m. | American Legion Post 155
  Celebrate the country's birthday without the booms and flashes of the fireworks. This event is designed for veterans with PTSD, but all are welcome to enjoy an evening of fun and food.

Hillsborough County

• Boom by the Bay
  4 p.m. | Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park
  The city of Tampa’s annual 4^th of July celebration will feature a free concert, pickleball tournament, food trucks and fireworks.
• July 4 Boat Parade
  4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Sparkman Wharf
  Boats will be decorated in red, white and blue and compete for the most patriotic boat. There will also be a water ski show and fireworks.
• 4^th of July Celebration
  June 30 – July 4 | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
  Enjoy five days of Independence Day festivities at Busch Gardens, featuring complimentary beer samples, live performances and a fireworks show choreographed with an arrangement of music and lights.
• Catch the Spirit & Celebrate America: July 4^th Festival
  1 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Hillsborough County Fairgrounds
  Get ready for an day filled with food, contests and live entertainment, culminating in a patriotic drone show after sunset. Admission to the event is free with a $10 parking fee per vehicle.

Manatee County

• 4th of July Fireworks & Independence Day Buffet
  7 p.m. | PIER 22
  Enjoy an Independence Day buffet while viewing fireworks at this waterside terrace. Table reservations and tickets are required for access to the pier.
• 4^th of July Fireworks on the Manatee River
  9:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Manatee River
  View a 4th of July fireworks display over the Manatee River. Guests can enjoy sights from both the Palmetto and Bradenton sides of the river.
• Palmetto Fourth Fest
  5 p.m. | Riverside Park
  The celebration includes live music, food and family fun all evening long. The fireworks show will start at Green Bridge Pier.
• Bradenton Alive Independence Day Celebration
  3 p.m. – 9 p.m.| Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion
  The city of Bradenton is hosting its own 4^th of July celebrations featuring live music, food vendors and a Jeep meet at Bradenton Riverwalk.

Pasco County

• Family Fun: 4^th of July Celebration
  2 p.m. – 6 p.m. | KRATE at the Grove
  Enjoy a variety of games and live music from the Highway 41 Band.
• Star Spangled Skate
  12 p.m. – 3 p.m. | AdventHealth Center Ice
  Pricing is $17.76 per person with skates included.
• 4^th of July
  4 p.m. | The Commons at Trinity
  This event will feature food trucks, a farmers’ market live music from local bands and fireworks.

Pinellas County

• The Fourth
  4 p.m. – 10 p.m. | St. Pete Pier
  The city of St. Petersburg’s annual fireworks show returns with live performances, vendors, food trucks and a family fun zone. Fireworks will be visible from the entire downtown waterfront.
• Clearwater Celebrates America 2024
  5 p.m. – 11 p.m. | Coachman Park
  There will be a free, patriotic performance at The BayCare Sound. No tickets are needed and seating is first-come, first served. Guests can also enjoy local vendors, food trucks, family friendly activities and live music.
• Fireworks Over the Gulf
  9 p.m. | Treasure Island Beach
  Celebrate America by watching fireworks light up the sky over Treasure Island Beach. The best viewing areas will be near the Gulf Front Park area of the beach located at 10400 Gulf Blvd. Bring a beach chair or towel and enjoy the show.
• 4^th of July Parade & Celebration
  9 a.m. | Old Time Pottery
  Join Kenneth City Mayor Megan Zemaitis and Healing Pinellas for a day of food, live music, vendors and more. The parade starts at 66th Street North and 46th Avenue North, then through downtown to Ernst Park, located at 46th Avenue North and 58th Street North.
• 4th of July Picnic in Craig Park
  10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Craig Park
  Bring the family to enjoy live music, a water slide, paddle boarding, inflatables, lawn games and free hot dogs. Stay later for the firework show after sunset.
• The City of Gulfport's 4th of July Celebration
  8 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. | Downtown Waterfront District
  The day will start with the Gulfport Marina’s Fishing Derbyat the Michael J. Yakes Recreation Complexfrom 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. There will also be a free sand sculputure contest from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Gulfport's Municipal Beach.The Independence Day Parade starts at 6 p.m. with a fireworks show at Williams Pier at 9 p.m.
  

Polk County

• Red, White & Kaboom!
  July 3, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Lake Mirror – Frances Langford Promenade
  Live performers will entertain the crowd before a fireworks display launches at 9 p.m. Officials ask for guests to bring canned food items to donate to those in need. All non-perishable items benefit Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE).
• Rockin’ Freedom Fest
  July 3, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Park
  This celebration includes food, a water ski show, and fireworks. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
• Legoland’s Red, White & Boom
  10 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Legoland Florida
  Get in the patriotic spirit with special activities, a DJ dance party, and a firework display with Lego bricks illuminating the sky through special 3D viewing glasses.
• Rockin’ the Ridge
  3 p.m. | Lake Wailes Trail
  The event will feature an assortment of activities, including a glow-in-the-dark foam party, inflatables, food and retail vendors, train rides, live entertainment, face painting, and a firework show.
• Auburndale 4^th of July Fireworks Display
  9 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Lake Ariana
  Bring the family out to view a fireworks display across Lake Ariana.